I’ve recently been riding three different boards and really feeling the differences between them. The newest is a KT with a very long mast track. When I first took it out, I placed the mast much farther forward than my other two boards can even accommodate—about 3 inches farther forward. I was surprised by how far up on the board I had to stand to keep it riding and feeling normal. Once I moved the mast back to a more typical position, I started making smaller adjustments and marking them with a Sharpie.
What I began to notice was that, even if I consciously tried to adjust my stance to compensate for the mast placement, my feet would eventually migrate back to my normal stance. When I forced my back foot forward and rode around, I’d look down later and see that my foot had returned to its usual spot. I’m calling this phenomenon “stubborn stance,” because it seems like my stance isn’t changing.
Assuming “stubborn stance” is real, I now understand why mast placement and board selection affect riding so much. If your stance doesn’t change, then pushing the mast forward will always make it feel like the foil is generating more lift or “wanting” to come out of the water more. Similarly, board height and weight distribution also impact you, since you can’t simply adjust your stance to offset a heavy tail or nose, etc.
I guess there is a balance between muscle memory and the mechanics of riding, which could explain why small adjustments in gear and setup seem to have outsized effects on performance.
Long mast track allows for use of different foils: say Go Foil V2 mast vs Code, etc. It also allows for optimal placement for where you like to stand. If you move your GF all the way forward, you will be hanging ten. You won’t be standing where the optimal balance point which is typically defined by the area with foot strap inserts and/or deck pads.
So muscle memory only serves for prone foiling, where you would optimally find a board that has a foil lift point and paddle balance point such that when you pop up you don’t have to move around a lot to find equalibrium.
Sup is easier as you find your paddle spot, then move your foil.
The “KD” method of holding your rig upside down under the center of lift of the front foil and setting mast in tracks such that it’s balanced has always been a good starting poing for me. I’ve noticed prone I’m a little nose up, and downwind and wing, a little nose down balance wise, but still very close to 50/50.
Wing is easiest. Find a good slog spot, then move your foil so you don’t have to slide forward or backward on take off, or match to the footstrap inserts.
For what its worth, I’ve found over the years that where I tend to want to stand to catch a wave has the nose angled a bit up. It just feels natural to stand there and paddle for a wave or swell.
However, this is not the optimal choice. Everything works so much better if I get weight a bit more forward such that the board is level in the water. I think it is because the foil isn’t “plowing” at high angle of attack and has a lot less drag.